This Special Tetris Strategy Has an Artistic Motive

Computer programmer Michael Birken invented a special Tetris strategy. But this algorithm isn’t to score more points -- it’s to create cute bitmap images of some of our favorite game characters. The Tetris Printer Algorithm, as Birken calls it, proves that coders have the ability to be artistic in non-traditional ways, using extremely complex procedures never thought of before.

The coder predetermined the placement of the Tetris blocks to create game characters like Super Mario and Pacman. The Tetris Printer Algorithm essentially hacks the game to do this. His video on YouTube showcases in fast-forwarded motion how the images are created. Watching the Tetriminos drop, rotate and shift to create these images is an incredible sight. The full explanation of the algorithm is available on Birken’s website.